Feed box for stock



'April 2s, 1925.. 1,535,16

J. V. KOERPERICH ET AL FEED BOX FOR STOCK Filed June 4, 1924 Patented Apr. 2lb?, i925,

Nl? TATES rra-r JOSEPH V. KOERPERICH AND LEO J. HAUSER, OF EPWGRTH, IOWA.

FEED BOX FOR STOCK.

Application lcd. June 4,

To @ZZ cli/zout t may Concern:

Be it known that we, JOSEPH V. Konnrnnicrr and Lno J. Hansen, citizens of the United States, residing at Epworth, in the county of Dubuque and State of iowa` have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Feed Box for Stoch, of which the following is a specification.

rllhis invention relates to an improved food boX for cattle, and the like, which is primarily intended to contain salt.

In conceiving and producing this invention, we have perfected one, which is ei;- ceedingly desirable for outdoorl use, due to the fact that it is of the animal controlled or actuated type, thus obviating the presence of an attendant, yet permitting the stoclr to be well supplied with salt, at their leisure.

In carrying out the invention, it has been our primary aim, to utilize a structure which is practical, automatic in operation, capable of operating with precision, and one in which the contents of the box at all times well preserved, against accidental displacement, or destruction from the weather,

An important factor of the invention is the automatically operable gravity closed cover for the box, which is entirely aninial actuated, and limited in its openingl movement, to prevent it from going beyond dead center to insure prompt closing as soon as the actuating means is rendered ineective by the animal.

@ther features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the followingl description and drawings.

in the accompanying drawing, forn'iing a part of the application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a feed box constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2. is a front elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a top plan view.

Figure 4 is a detail section, showing more clearly the pivotal connection of the cover.

In carrying out the invention, we use a substantially rectangular frame, which is formed from a plurality of comparatively short angle irons 1; the horizontal lianges of which are directed inwardly. A skeleton structure is completed through the use 1924. Serial No. 717,759.

of a plurality of vertically disposed angle irons 2, the forward pair of which is comparatively short, while the rear ones of which are of a greater height. The aforesaid frame is connected to the angle irons 2, at a point between the ends of the latter and the portions of the irons 2 below this frame, constitute anchoring legs, by means of which the device is securely anchored in the ground. Fitted into the. frame work of angle iron is a ,galvanized iron box 3.. the upper ends of which is open, and inclined downwardly from the rear legs to the tops of the front ones. A. cover Ycompletely closes this open end of the boi; and is pivotally connected7 as at 5, (see Figure 4) thereto. If desired, strap hinges G inay be used for this purpose. .it is to be observed that the upper end of the cover eX- tends well beyond the rear wall of the box, and is provided with an extended flange 7, to effectively shed water. Of course, the longitudinal edges of the cover are downturned to provide flanges, and it is obvious that with this arrangement, a substantially water proof container is had. As before intimated, the cover 4 is automatically elevated by animal actuated means. While this means could be constructed otherwise, it preferably comprises a platform 8, which is secured to the extend ends of a pair of levers 9. these levers being pivotally connected to the front legs of the box, as at 10 and 11, to permit tilting of the platform. Guides 12 are secured to the rear 90 legs of the structure, and the corresponding ends of the levers operate therein, the upward Vmovement of the levers being limited by these guides. The rear ends of levers 9 are active on a pair of vertically diso5 posed push rods 13, which are pivotally connected at their lower ends thereto, and it is the rods 13 that serve to raise the cover el. To accomplish this, a cross piece 1:1 is rigidly fastened to the upper side ot ico the cover, just downward of the pivot for the latter, and the ends of this cross piece are reduced and extended through elongated slots 15, in the push rod. vWhen the parts are in normal positions, the reduced ends m5 seat in the lower ends of the slots. These reduced ends may be threaded and retain ing nuts may be fitted on them. As observed, the parts 9 and 13 are duplicated on opposite sides of the box to insure precision CTI in the operation of the parts. It is highly1 desirable to limit the upward swing of the cover and to accomplish this, we utilize a pair of wire slides 16, which are connected at their upper ends to the cross piece 14 and have their lower ends looped and vsliding through combined guide and stop eyes 17, on the sides of theV box. It is yet to be pointed out that counter balanced weights 18, are carried Vby the push rods to' insure proper return of the platformv to its norina-l position.

In practice, the salt filled box is'placed at a convenient point in the field, and the lto use this bait. c more salt will step upon the platform, and

supporting legs ofthe structure aredriven well down into the ground, to prevent the same from being caps'ized vby the animal. As a bait, a small quantity of salt is placed on topof the platform and since stoekhas a keen sense of smell for this kind of food, they will be attraeted to the box.

Of course, after-the. animals become accustomed to using the device, 1t is even unnecessary The vanin'ial in seeking `this cover is linlitaneously movable and Cannotl *pass beyond dead center. Hence, .as

Soon as the platform isre'l'ieved ofthe animals weightythe cover will closeby gravity. `Attention is directed to the factthat the elongated slots in the upper ends of the and drawings, will sufl'lieeto present a clear comprehension of the invention. Therefore, it is thought unnecessary to enter a more detailed description,

We claim:

An animal controlled feed box comprising `an open top box, an inclined gravity lowered cover for said box: pivotally connectedY to the latter at one end, a'pivotally mounted animal depressed platformv1 vertieally disposed push rods, pivotal connections between said push `rods 4and platform, sliding connections between the upper ends of said'push rods and said cover, 'depending slides connected with said sliding; connections, and combined stop and guide eyes through which said slides pass.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

JOSEPH lV; KOERPERICH. LEO J. HAUSER. 

